Review: The Garden – Paul T. Harry

For centuries, Adam and Eve’s birth has been foretold. Their existence ensures that the Terran world will be saved. In God’s eyes, they must uphold the values that have been instilled within them. Terran’s survival is a must, a certainty they must ensure to the best of their ability. While they’ve been tasked with keeping the world and it’s inhabitants alive and in order, temptation also circles them at every turn.

Mikatta yearns to possess Terran for himself. The need to infiltrate the Garden burns deep within his soul. Unfortunately, his access to it is non-existent. Somehow, some way, he will find a way to make it there. He must infiltrate it, at all costs. Even if it means doing away with those that have been tasked to protect the Garden itself.

Adjusting to their new lives, Adam and Eve’s lives have changed in more ways than one. The hostile world’s inhabitants do not take kindly to their new leaders, though some are willing to give them the benefit of a doubt. To some, they’re an answer to their prayers. To others, they’re nothing but a disruption to their way of life, something that must be culled before further harm comes to the environment.

While the task they’ve been given might seem a little daunting, Adam and Eve are determined to follow through on it. Their love for one another keeps them grounded, allowing them to undertake the objectives set before them in hopes of making the best of the situation they now find themselves. Terran is new to them, but they intend on learning everything about it in the time that’s been allotted to them. If they’re to succeed, they must remain firm in their beliefs, and avoid temptation, at all costs. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.

This was a very unique retelling of the Adam and Eve story, but with a science-fiction twist. I enjoyed it immensely. We’re able to see the couple triumph and fall, and pick themselves up again in hopes of making the best of what they’ve now been dealt with. Filled with a slew of new characters and worlds, we’re able to dive in, and live the story through Adam and Eve’s eyes. Granted, there were quite a few twists that left me a little mind-boggled, but that’s the beauty of a good story, right?

Nearly every religion and society in the world today begins with the story of Adam and Eve. And yet, this most basic story is couched in mysticism, myth, and vague detail. Did such a couple really exist? Were they the first man and woman on our planet, or is there more to the story?

For two hundred thousand years the Neanderthal race ruled Earth, then mysteriously, 40,000 years ago they disappeared forever leaving behind a new race of people — the Cro-Magnon. Why? What happened back then that changed our history forever?

The Garden of Eden — a perfect home built and designed for two people until the serpent arrived. Who was the serpent? And what was he doing there in the first place? Is there a chance that the serpent is actually a reference to some hidden sexual transgression?

Imagine traveling billions of light years across space to settle an unknown world populated by primitive barbarians. Imagine being alone, just you and your spouse, the two of you in charge of an entire world with only your faith and your mission to guide you — and, of course, the devil waiting for that fatal mistake.

About The Author:

Paul T. Harry attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas as an English major with a theater arts minor before beginning his career as a writer and music producer. He also worked as an editor with Second Avenue Songwriter’s magazine and has spent the last 30 years writing novels, screenplays and short stories. Paul is married with four children and resides in Gold Canyon, outside Phoenix.